Lorgat Commends Decision To Ban Pakistan Players

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat has responded to the results of the independent tribunal that banned three Pakistan cricketers for at least five years after they were found guilty of match-fixing.

Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were handed sentences of five, seven and ten years respectively having breached the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

“I am satisfied that the proceedings are now over and we respect the findings of the independent tribunal. The members of this tribunal are extremely experienced and have considered the matter at great length after hearing detailed submissions from all parties," Lorgat said in a statement.

“From the moment we became aware of the allegations of spot-fixing made by the News Of The World newspaper in August 2010, the ICC has left no stone unturned in pursuing this matter and we are therefore pleased with the outcome.

“While I am deeply saddened that this case happened in the first place, I acknowledge and commend the decision to deliver lengthy bans to all three players. Corruption in our game will never be tolerated and, once again, I reiterate our zero-tolerance approach. I hope this investigation, and the verdicts delivered, makes that message crystal-clear.”

Chairman of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) Sir Ronnie Flanagan added: “Over the past few months, the ACSU and the ICC’s legal team have worked extremely hard on this case, including in its investigations prior to the time that the News Of The World’s story broke. We have subsequently received significant support and cooperation from the newspaper’s investigators and the Metropolitan Police in order to develop the evidence on which the tribunal has based its decision. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the News Of The World and the Metropolitan Police for all of their assistance during this process.”

Talking about the publication of the tribunal’s written reasoned decision, Mr Lorgat said: “We note and agree with the tribunal’s strong and unanimous desire for the ICC to publish the decision in the interests of all concerned in the world of cricket. We are also aware of and fully respect the decision of the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service to charge the players with criminal offences in the UK and, with that in mind, we will carefully review the full decision and take proper legal advice before making any decision on publishing the reasoned determination.”